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Philosophy & Ethics

This subject aims to deliver a truly relevant, modern and demanding Religious Education programme, using a variety of teaching styles and thought-provoking resources.

The focus is upon contemporary moral issues and philosophical questions. Students are encouraged to develop opinions based upon thought and reason. They will also consider the validity of responses to these issues by examining the major world faiths. This will encourage the understanding of other faiths and to provide the tools for students to reflect upon personal and societal values.

Vision

Philosophy and Ethics gives our students the opportunity to explore, challenge and engage with life’s ultimate questions and consider their own opinions towards contemporary issues and religious perspectives. We aim to provide students with the skills required to become reflective and critical thinkers, developing their skills, knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live.

We also aim to stimulate pupils to aspire and to have a desire for learning, develop attitudes of empathy and understanding and develop valuable insight into diverse beliefs, ethics and opinions of the spiritual dimension of life.

Students are encouraged to achieve and maintain high academic standards by the encouragement of practical skills; through the provision of a variety of teaching and learning styles; and in interesting, varied and stimulating lessons. These motivate pupils to explore their own faith journey, enabling and encourage them to take full and active part in society, especially in its quest for justice, freedom and equality.

Key Stage 3

RE at Harlington School is a story of success, with lessons being delivered to pupils once a week. The focus is upon a multi-faith approach, which involves studying the six major religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. This enables students to achieve throughout its various levels in the school, from year 7 to year 8. Students will be assessed in their learning at the end of each topic and every tenth week of the year and the programmes of study are based around the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Hillingdon SACRE programme.

Students will learn through discussion within a variety of contexts such as in pairs, small groups or as a class; through reading and research (in books and using ICT); and by both student and teacher led presentations. This is a great introduction for students before they start their GCSE in Philosophy & Ethics at Key Stage 4.

COURSE CONTENT

Year 7

Beliefs, faiths and religious buildings,

The world around us; heroes and heroines

Film and faith

RSE – puberty and changes

Year 8

The afterlife; Judaism

Prejudice; Going East

Humanism

RSE – healthy and unhealthy relationships

ASSESSMENT

In all the topics students have mid and end of unit assessments to determine how well pupils are vested in the topics and to see where emphasis needs to be placed and to identify areas for development.

Students will have the benefit of studying issues that relate to Crime and Punishment. They will consider basic moral concepts such as ’Why should we “love one another”, not steal and not murder?’

Are these issues helpful to our own peace of mind or necessary for our relationships with other humans?

Is there an after-life or is there just us, here and now?

How do we find answers, and once found, are they acceptable in our time?

Medical Ethics, War and Peace, Religion and the Media and Poverty.

Note: Students are not expected to believe in, or accept, the teachings of any religion, creed or ideology. Indeed this is a study of our overall human condition and they will need to have a general interest in basic psychology and be prepared to investigate and consider real solutions to problems that affect our future and our happiness.

COURSE CONTENT

The course is based around Christian teaching and compared with beliefs and teachings from Islam, Hinduism and other religions. They will learn about the sources of wisdom and authority and be able to refer to the Bible, Qur’an or Sunnah using specific quotes or examples. The students will look at how the teachings of these faiths influence believers, communities and the wider society and how they are also influenced by contemporary beliefs and ideas, as well as Atheist and Humanist views.

They will also explore interfaith as well as intra-faith common and divergent views and the way that different belief may be understood in different traditions.

It enables students to grow in academic competence, to develop powers of both written and spoken expression and be a major stimulus to thought and reflection.

Year 9

Marriage and family

Crime and Punishment

Christian beliefs

Year 10

Muslim Beliefs

Living a Christian life

Living a Muslim Life

Year 11

Matters of Life and Death

Peace and Conflict

ASSESSMENT

The final examination for the GCSE consists of 2 written papers that take place in the Year 11 summer exam term. Students will be assessed in their learning at the middle and ends of every unit to ascertain progress.

“Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers, since no definite answers can, as a rule be known to be true, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves.”Bertrand Russell.

Philosophy is one of the fastest growing options at A Level countrywide. This fascinating course is an opportunity to develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, a rigorous study of religion and its relation to the wider world. A critical, enquiring, unbiased mind and a willingness to consider all perspectives on issues are essential.

Philosophy and Ethics teaches a student to think critically and develop analytical and logical arguments on competing world views. As a result it is highly regarded at university. The course is academic and content based, but has the added bonus of engaging pupils throughout as it impacts on their own ideas and life decisions.

This course does not require a religious mind-set as such, but the impact and legacy of religious ideas are assessed and pupils need to have an interest in the subject matter.

COURSE CONTENT

Arguments for the existence of God

Evil and suffering

Religious experience

Ethical theories

Issues of human life and death

Issues of animal life and death

Sources of wisdom and authority.

God/gods/ultimate reality.

Life after death

Key moral principles.

Religious identity

Entry Requirements: Candidates are expected to achieve grade 6 in both English and Religious education at GCSEs.

ASSESSMENT

Written exams 100% at A levels.(Philosophy & Ethics 50% and Religion 50%)

Future Careers Information:
The skills you develop in Philosophy are useful in a wide variety of situations. Many people who study Philosophy go on to apply their philosophical skills in jobs as diverse as the law, computer programming, management consultancy, film making, journalism, medicine, and all areas in which clarity of thought and expression are essential.
Current students are finding that when they go for university interviews, Philosophy has been a major talking point. It is certainly highly regarded as a valid entrance qualification by universities.

Extra-Curricular ActivitiesIn Key Stage 3, trips are run to the Victoria & Albert Museum, where students have the chance to explore the examples of artifacts and treasures from different continents and how religion is incorporated. The Religious Studies Department will also be running a trip for Year 9 in conjunction with the History Department to the Imperial War Museum where they will explore the different exhibits on War and the Holocaust and to places of worship like, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Swami Narayan Temple in Neasden.